India to be the launch-pad for Amazon's plan to deliver packages using drones

Jagran Josh

Aug 20, 2014 18:57 IST

India would be the first launch-pad for Amazon’s plan to deliver packages using drones or unmanned aerial vehicles. Amazon, the e-retailer based in the US will start its drone delivery services from Mumbai and Bangalore, the two cities where it has its warehouse. It seems that the services will be started by Diwali 2014.

Amazon in December 2013 displayed its Prime Air Drone to the world. This Prime Air Drone of Amazon is an Octocopter that is fitted with eight rotors. The drone of Amazon weighs 25 kilogram and it has the capability to travel over 80 kmph and carry a payload of up to 2.26 kg.

Question that arises with the concept is legality of use of Drones in context of India?

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not yet framed any rule for use of drones in India. Hence there is no clear legal rule concerning use of drones for commercial usage. DGCA is an institute that is responsible for implementation, control and supervises airworthiness standards in India.

Earlier in the past such a delivery system was used in Mumbai by a pizza outlet in which it delivered a pizza at a distance within 2 kilometers from their location. But the process of the delivery faced a complaint by Mumbai Police in which they stated that why they didn’t take permission before using drones for delivery process.

Threats of usage of drones in the country

These unmanned drones could be a threat in perspective of national security as it can be used as a tool of destruction by criminals and terrorists. The main cause of the threat is because Abu Jundal (alias Zabiuddin Ansari) one of the handlers of the Mumbai terrorist 22/11 attack has informed the police that aerial attacks on the city is on the plan list of the terrorists.

Reason that propelled Amazon to make India is first launch-pad for Drone delivery system instead of the US

In case of the US, commercial Drone use is illegal and the previous plan of Amazon was rejected by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US terming it illegal. FAA is the national authority on aviation in the US. Might be possible, this is a cause that propelled Amazon to choose India to initiate its plan to use drones to deliver its packages.

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